According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2012 Annual Report, 3,921 people were killed and 104,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks in 2012.

The report, released in 2014, found that some 317,000 large trucks — which are far more likely to be in fatal multiple-vehicle crashes than passenger vehicles — were involved in crashes that same year.

Experienced trucking companies are knowledgeable about collecting valuable evidence and figuring out how to reduce their liability to motorists, which is a disadvantage for motorists.

Experienced semi truck accident attorneys know that once accident debris is cleared, crucial evidence may go with it.

Preserving important evidence such as skid mark measurements, vehicle positioning as well as speaking to eyewitnesses can make the difference in successfully pursuing claims against trucking companies whose drivers were at fault.

Trucking company investigators may attempt to minimize a motorist’s claim or try to convince them they don’t need a semi truck accident attorney, The trucking companies are aware that by retaining a lawyer, motorists are much more likely to receive a larger settlement. A lawyer will immediately put the trucking company on notice to preserve and protect the evidence collected in the accident by sending something known as a spoliation letter.

A multitude of reasons exist for 18-wheeler accidents, from semi truck drivers who are not properly trained or supervised or truck driver fatigue, something that occurs when drivers are encouraged to drive faster and longer to benefit their employer’s bottom line by transporting their goods in less time.

Federal law mandates that truck drivers cannot operate a vehicle for more than 10 consecutive hours before a minimum eight-hour resting period, meaning commercial drivers can spend 16 hours driving in any 24-hour period.

A proposed rule calls for a longer rest period with a rotating schedule of work and rest based on a 24-hour period instead of the current 18-hour one. It calls for drivers to work no more than 60 hours per week and to rest between nine and 12 continuous hours each day.

If interrupted by dispatchers, shippers or other personnel, the driver would be required to re-start the off-duty period. Drivers would also be required to be off-duty for at least two nights after reaching the 60-hour work week threshold.

Tractor-trailers may also not be properly maintained by the companies that own them or they may skirt required federal standards, such as being equipped with underride guards as a safety mechanism. The underride guards can help keep standard size cars and trucks from sliding beneath truck trailers.

Other factors that skilled semi truck accident attorneys investigate include overweight or improperly secured loads, distracted driving from texting or using the Internet when behind the wheel, drug or alcohol use, equipment issues, and poorly trained or negligent drivers.

They will also check for accurate record-keeping, which includes log books, freight bills, bill of lading — a receipt stating what goods were transported, trip report, the truck driver’s driving record as well as the motor carrier’s proposed schedule for the driver.